The Met Gala, an annual fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, is renowned as one of the most glamorous events on the planet. It’s a spectacle of haute couture, celebrity sightings, and often, a healthy dose of unexpected moments. While many evenings are marked by stunning fashion and red-carpet elegance, others are remembered for their sheer awkwardness. From wardrobe malfunctions to bizarre interactions and outright social blunders, the Met Gala has gifted us with a treasure trove of unforgettable, and often cringe-worthy, instances.
1. When Megan Thee Stallion Hit Angel Reese With Her Ponytail (2025)
The 2025 Met Gala saw a surprising and slightly startling interaction when rapper Megan Thee Stallion playfully swatted basketball player Angel Reese with her ponytail. During an interview, Megan Thee Stallion, while seemingly sharing a moment with Reese, playfully flicked her ponytail, connecting with Reese’s face. The incident sparked immediate social media commentary and jokes, with many finding the unexpected physical interaction both humorous and a bit jarring. While the moment was fleeting, it certainly stood out from the usual polished interactions on the red carpet.
2. When Anna Sawai and Zendaya Showed Up in Near-Identical Looks (2025)
The 2025 Met Gala witnessed a fashion coincidence of epic proportions when Zendaya and actress Anna Sawai arrived in strikingly similar gowns. Both opted for elegant, floor-length dresses with intricate detailing and a similar color palette, leading to immediate comparisons and a flurry of social media posts pointing out the resemblance. Zendaya’s longtime stylist even spotted the Shōgun actor come up the steps while being interviewed and remarked on the similarity, expressing delight at their coordinated choices. The stylist’s comment fueled discussions about celebrity fashion and influence, highlighting how even carefully curated looks can sometimes result in serendipitous similarities.
3. While Lisa Seemingly Wore Rosa Parks.on Her Underwear (2025)
Lisa Reimann’s Louis Vuitton look at the 2025 Met Gala caused quite a stir due to its intricate design. The ensemble included lace briefs adorned with portraits of figures significant to the artist’s life, with one of those figures appearing to resemble civil rights activist Rosa Parks. Naturally, the internet had a lot to say about this particular choice, with many finding the detail both creative and potentially sensitive. Choices were made with Lisa’s Louis Vuitton look, which included lace briefs that incorporated portraits of “figures who have been a part of the artist’s life,” per a press release, with one of those figures appearing to resemble civil rights activist Rosa Parks. The outfit ignited a firestorm of online reactions and memes.
4. When Teyana Taylor Got Stella McCartney’s Name Wrong (2025)
During an interview with Stella McCartney and Mary J. Blige at the 2025 Met Gala, singer Teyana Taylor repeatedly mispronounced the designer’s name, referring to her as “Stella McCarthy.” Stella McCartney even playfully acknowledged the mistake, suggesting that Teyana might as well change her own last name. While the moment was lighthearted, it became an instant source of amusement and a topic of conversation, highlighting the occasional slip-up even among those in the spotlight. When interviewing Stella and her guest Mary J. Blige, Teyana repeatedly referred to Stella (who’s also nepo baby royalty) as “Stella McCarthy,” with Stella even joking that she might as well change her last name.
5. When Nobody Laughed at Camila Cabello’s Joke During an Interview (2024)
At the 2024 Met Gala, Camila Cabello attempted to lighten the mood during an interview, but her joke fell flat. The specific nature of the joke isn’t widely reported, but the lack of reaction from her interviewer and the surrounding audience created an undeniably awkward moment. The incident raised questions about social dynamics and humor, suggesting that not all attempts at levity land successfully, even in the high-pressure environment of the Met Gala. Nobody laughed at Camila Cabello’s joke during an interview / TikTok / Variety.
6. When Lana Del Rey Kept Bumping Into Kim Kardashian With Her Antlers (2024)
Lana Del Rey’s entrance with a dramatic, antler-adorned headpiece at the 2024 Met Gala led to a series of comical collisions with Kim Kardashian. During their red-carpet interview with Vogue correspondent LaLa Anthony, Lana kept bumping into Kim with her antlers, a physical interaction that Kim deftly dodged at least six times. The singers brought chaotic energy to the steps for a moment but handled the hand-off quickly. One angle of the video shows her grinning after the comment, while Kim maintained a composed demeanor.
7. When Tyla Was Carried Up the Met Steps (2024)
Singer Tyla’s grand entrance at the 2024 Met Gala was memorable for a reason – she was carried up the stairs! The unexpected mode of transport, while seemingly a gesture of grandeur, also presented a slightly awkward situation. While Tyla appeared to handle it with grace, the unusual entrance drew attention and sparked discussions about the evolving traditions and expectations of the Met Gala arrival. Taylor Hill // Getty Images.
8. When Ed Sheeran’s Foot Got Stuck in FKA Twigs’ Netted Dress (2024)
The 2024 Met Gala saw a physical mishap involving singer Ed Sheeran and FKA Twigs. As they arrived together, Ed Sheeran’s foot became entangled in the netting of FKA Twigs’ elaborate gown. Cara Delevingne had to step in to untangle the pair, creating a moment of unexpected physical comedy. When Ed Sheeran, FKA Twigs, and Cara Delevingne pulled up to the “Perfect” singer with Stella McCartney, and Cara had to untangle his foot from Twigs’ netted dress. The wardrobe malfunction became a viral moment and a source of embarrassment for the celebrities involved.
9. When Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Brought Truly Chaotic Vibes to Their Vogue Interview (2024)
During a Vogue interview at the 2024 Met Gala, singers Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought a whirlwind of energy, bordering on chaos. While the specific details of the “chaotic vibes” are somewhat vague, the interview was reportedly fast-paced and filled with enthusiastic, perhaps over-the-top, interactions. In the middle of Ari’s interview with Vogue correspondent LaLa Anthony, her Wicked co-star showed up for her slot prematurely. The singers brought chaotic energy to the steps for a moment but handled the hand-off quickly. “I think it’s your turn!” she said as she exited. The energy of the interview was memorable, though perhaps not for its polished composure.
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10. When Nicki Minaj (Jokingly?) Said She’d Slap the Shit Out of a Reporter (2022)
In 2022, Nicki Minaj made headlines with a provocative comment directed at a reporter who had leaked information about her attendance at the Met Gala. Appearing in a video, Minaj jokingly stated that she would “slap the shit out of” the reporter. While the context suggested it was a humorous exaggeration, the comments sparked debate about celebrity behavior and the potential for escalation. One angle of the video shows Nicki Minaj (Jokingly?) said she’d slap the shit out of a reporter who leaked info about her attending the 2022 Met Gala. Don’t expect to see Lili Reinhart at the Met Gala anytime soon.
11. When Lili Reinhart Called Out Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Diet (2022)
Lili Reinhart’s critique of Kim Kardashian’s intense diet in preparation for the 2022 Met Gala became a notable moment of awkwardness. Reinhart, known for her outspoken nature, alluded to Kardashian’s reported 16-pound weight loss in three weeks to fit into a vintage Marilyn Monroe gown. “I don’t expect to be invited back,” Reinhart said in an Instagram Story, referencing a certain person in a certain dress. Don’t expect to see Lili Reinhart at the Met Gala anytime soon. “I think I’ll be avoiding attending in the future.” The criticism fueled discussions about body image and the pressure celebrities face to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
12. When Kim Kardashian (Maybe) Damaged Marilyn Monroe’s Dress (2022)
The controversy surrounding Kim Kardashian’s wearing of the iconic Marilyn Monroe gown at the 2022 Met Gala cast a shadow over the event. Allegations surfaced that Kardashian may have damaged the dress, which had been carefully preserved. While Kardashian and the museum maintained that no damage occurred, the incident sparked controversy and legal questions about the dress’s condition. All seemed well, until experts released images alleging that Kim Kardashian had damaged the dress. Yikes!
13. When Kourtney Kardashian Didn’t Even Pretend to Care About the Theme (2022)
Kourtney Kardashian’s nonchalant attitude towards the “Gilded Glamour” theme at the 2022 Met Gala was a surprising and somewhat awkward moment. When asked about the theme, she offered a brief and seemingly uninterested response, failing to embrace the elaborate costuming tradition. ANGELA WEISS // Getty Images During her first Met Gala appearance, Kourtney was asked, “When you heard the theme was ‘Gilded Glamour,’ what did that mean to you?” To which she replied, “It means gold.” Her lack of enthusiasm challenged the traditional expectations of the Met Gala, where guests typically invest significant effort in interpreting the theme through their attire.
These awkward met gala moments serve as a reminder that even at the most glamorous events, unexpected and sometimes cringe-worthy situations can occur. While often fleeting, these moments often generate more buzz than perfectly polished appearances, proving that a little bit of imperfection can be just as memorable as flawless fashion.
